Services

Sclerotherapy

Spider veins are tiny dilated blood vessels that are red or bluish in color. They can form in a small area or can cover a larger area of the skin.  While they appear mostly on the legs, they also occasionally appear on the face.

Varicose veins are larger dilated blood vessels. They can appear raised with a bluish color and can become painful. 

Spider veins appear in both men and women, but more frequently in women.  Hormonal changes such those that occur during pregnancy can bring these unsightly veins out.  They may also appear after injury to leg tissue, or as a result of wearing restrictive clothing or prolonged standing. Heredity can also be a major factor.

While both of these unwanted blood vessels carry blood, they are not part of the venous valve system and are not necessary.  The doctors at the Center for Cosmetic Enhancement^® can safely and effectively eliminate them through a simple office procedure called Sclerotherapy.

The Sclerotherapy treatment is a safe and virtually painless technique, involving the injection of tiny amounts of mild sclerosing (hardening) solution with a very fine needle directly in the blood vessel.  This procedure has been used for spider veins since the 1930s and before that for larger veins.  The solution causes the vein to blanch (turn white), then gradually disappear.

A single blood vessel may be injected more than once, about three weeks apart, depending on its size. A typical treatment may last for 15 to 20 minutes and consists of multiple injections. Complete correction of the treated area is not expected on the first treatment.  In most cases 50-70% of the treated vessels will be gone for good.

While spider veins and varicose veins can't always be prevented, there are certain steps that may prevent some unwanted blood vessels from developing. These include wearing support hose, keeping one's weight at a normal level and exercising regularly.  Eating a high fiber diet and wearing low-heeled shoes can also help.